Tractor hitch



Jan. 17, 1950 p, HANSEN 2,494,757"

TRACTOR HITCH Filed April 12, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l Peter F Hansen Jan. 17, 1950 p, HANSEN 2,494,757

TRACTOR HITCH Filed April 12, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. F. HANSEN TRACTOR HITCH Jan. 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1946 5 2 2 w ML Patented Jan. 17 1950 UNITED TATEs PATENTOFF This invention relates generally to tractor hitch attachments and inparticular tohitchand power shaft attachments for. assembling a pull; type corn q picker with a -tractor. v r 1 1 generaltypes', namely, a pull or tractor drawn type and a tractor mounted type.

Corn pickers are of two Some of the advantages of .a tractor mounted picker over the usual-tractor drawn picker are the location o f the picker snouts forwardly f the tractor operator so that the rows of corn can be easily followed, the picking of corn substantially to the ends of a corn row, and the support of the picker against lateralmovement relative to the tractorlwhereby .thepicker isin a following relation with the tractor in fields which are sloped or inclined in a direction normal to the rows of corn. v 1 ve However, tractor mountedipickers are not entirely satisfactory because of the, inconvenience and time required tomount and. remove them from the tractor. The tractors are. thusgenerally j tied up, during the corn picking season,

against use for other farm work. Further, if the corn fields are locatedremotely from 'thefarm house the pickermust be taken back and forth with the tractor, or a separate vehicleused by the farmer for transportation between his home andthecornfield. f f

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved hitch and power. shaft attachment for connecting a pull typecornpicker witha tractor. i

A further object of this invention is to provide a tractor hitch for a pull type corn picker, which is capableof holding the picker in longitudinal alignment with the tractor while permitting lateral tipping movement of the picker relative to the tractor. i

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tractor hitch for a pull type corn picker which is adapted to locate thesnouts of the picker to one side of the tractor and forwardly of the tractor operator, whereby full visibility is afforded the operator for following a'row of corn, and corn is able to be picked substantially to the ends of a row because of the short turning radius required for the tractor and picker assembly. v

A still further objectof this invention is to provide a tractor hitch for acorn pickerwhich is adapted for permanentassembly onthe picker, and capable of being connected to and released from the tractor in a minimum of time so that full use of the tractor is not impaired by periodic corn picking operations. i

A feature of this invention is found in the proa A n lceiio #11 1112, 1946 eria No. 561.611 j j ]gge 33.44)

vision of a tractor hitch for a pull type corn picker in which apair'of laterally spaced hitch members are adapted for connection with tractors having rear axles ofdifferentlengths; l

" Another feature of this invention is found in H the provision of. a tractor hitch for a pull type corn picker in which a first hitch member. is formed as a part of the hitch frame. A second extensible hitch member, movably supported at its rear end on. the frame in a laterally spaced relation with the first hitch member, is adjustable laterally relative to the first hitch. member and supported for up and down pivotal movementon the hitch fram to permit lateral rocking or tipping movement of thepicker relative tothetractor, while maintaining the picker in longitudinal alignment with the tractor.

A still further feature of this invention is found in the provision of aconnecting unit-for a tractor power take-off shaftand a driven shaft ona corn picker, which capable of being/connected and disconnected with a minimum of effort and time and with its connectible, part on the tractor, on separation of the unit, beingcarried on the tractor without interfering with :aflnormal use of the tractor.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the folv lowing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

:Fig. 1 is a plan view of the tractor hitch attachment of this invention shown in assembly relation with a tractor and a pull type corn picker;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hitch attachment shown in. assembly relation with a fragmentary portion of the corn picker;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailedsectional view on the1ine3-3inFig.2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view as seen on the line .4-4inFig.2; i i

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2; 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a coupling member on the tractor forming part of the hitch of this invention;

i Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan view of the hitch attachment showing an adjustable hitch member; Fig. 8 is a view illustrated similarly to Fig. 7 showing parts thereof in changed position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational viewof a shaft couplin unit for connecting the tractor power takeoff shaft with a driven shaft on the picker;

Fig. 10 is asectional view |0--l [I in Fig. 9; and

as seen on the line Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the shaft coupling unit.

With reference to the drawings the hitch attachment of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 in assembly relation with a tractor l5 and a corn picker N5 of a pull type. The tractor includes a rear axle ll, a rear power take-off shaft l3 and rear traction wheels l9 and l9a.

The corn picker I6 is comprised of a main frame or chassis having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extended frame members 2| and 22 carried on U clamps 23 which are supported from an axle 24 provided with ground wheels 26. A pair of transversely spaced snouts 21, for guiding the corn stalks into the picker snapping rolls (not shown) are extended forwardly from one end of the axle 24 while husking rolls 28, a corn hopper 29 and an elevator 3|, for carrying the picked corn from the hopper into a wagon (not shown), are located rearwardly of the axle 24 and laterally from the snouts 21.

The hitch attachment (Figs. 1 and 2) includes a substantially triangular shaped main frame having a rear transverse frame member 32, a longitudinal frame member 39 extended forward- 1y from one end 33 of the transverse frame memher, and a diagonal brace member 34 connected between the transverse member 32 and the forward end of the longitudinal frame member 39, which constitutes a fixed hitch member as will later appear. A longitudinal brace member 36, spaced inwardly from the hitch member 36 is connected between the transverse member 32 and the brace member 34. It'is' contemplated that the transverse member 32, hitch member 39, and brace members 34 and 36 be of an angle iron construction.

An extensible hitch member 31 is comprised of a rear channel member 38, faced downwardly, and adapted for telescopic assembly with a front bar meinber illl. The extension of the bar member 39 to an adjusted position is maintained by a bolt 4| inserted through longitudinally extended aligned slots 42 and 43 formed in the channel member 38 and bar member 39, respectively (Fig. 4).

The hitch member 37 is movably supported on the transverse frame member 32, at a position arranged oppositely from the fixed or rigid hitch member 36, by means including a U-shaped pivoted member 44 (Fig. 2) havingits legs in a straddled relation with the horizontal forwardly extended leg of the transverse frame member 32. A pin 46 is received through aligned openings in the legs of the U-member 44 and through the horizontal leg of the transverse member 32 to pivotally support the U-member 44 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. The rear end of the channel member 38 is cut away to receive the closed end of the U-member 44 between the legs thereof. A pin 4?, carried in the legs of the channel member 38, is extended through the closed end of the U-member 44 and pivotally supports the extensible hitch member 31 for pivotal up and down movement. The legs of the U-member 44 are bent inwardly toward each other and about the pivot pin 41 to retain the pin against movement longitudinally of the U-member 44. It is seen, therefore, that the hitch member 31 is pivotally movable in a horizontal plane about the pivot 46, and in a vertical plane about the pivot 41, for a purpose which will later be apparent.

To look the hitch member 31 against pivotal movement in a horizontal plane about the pin 46,

there is provided an extensible brace unit designated generally as 50 (Figs. 2 and 3), comprised of an arm member 48 and a U-shaped pivoted member 49 connected together by an eye bolt 5|. One end of the arm member 48 is secured to the hitch member 31 by a bolt 45 extended through the rear channel member 38. An upright projection 52, at the opposite end, of the arm member 48, has the threaded end of the eye bolt 5| inserted therethrough. The eye bolt 5| is adjustably connected with the arm member 48 by adjusting nuts 53 arranged at opposite sides of the upright projection 52.

The closed or base end of the U-member 49 is formed with a transverse slot 54 of a size adapted to loosely receive the horizontally extended leg of the angle iron brace member 34. A bolt 56 extended through the closed end of the U-member 49 and the brace member 34 pivotally supports the member 49 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. The legs of the U-member 49 are bent or pinched inwardly about the bolt 56 to hold the member 49 against longitudinal movement. Supported in the free ends of the legs of the U-member 49 and at right angles to the bolt 56, is a bolt 51 for pivotally supporting the eye end 58 of the eye bolt 5|, whereby the eye bolt is pivotally movable in a vertical plane about the bolt 51. It is thus seen, that the length of the brace unit 50 is adjustable, by adjustment of the nuts 53 for the eye bolt 5|, and that the complete brace unit is pivotally movable in a horizontal plane about the pivot 56, while the arm 48 and the bolt 5| are pivotally movable together in a vertical plane about the pivot 51 and relative to the U-m'ember 49.

The hitch attachment is carried on the corn picker I6 forwardly of the axle 24 and laterally from the snouts 2! to provide for the rear tractor wheel |9a being positionable between the snouts 21 and the hitch. The hitch is pivotally supported on the picker, for up and down pivotal movement, by a pair of like pivoted connections 59 carried on the longitudinal frame members 2| and 22, of the picker main frame, and arranged at opposite ends of the transverse member 32. The frame members 2| and 22, forwardly of the picker axle are provided with a pair of transversely spaced upright lugs 6|. Rearward projections 62, on the upright leg of the transverse frame member 32, extend between the lugs 6| and are pivotally supported on pivot pins 63 carried in such lugs (Figs. 2 and 5).

The forward ends of the hitch members 39 and 31 are connected with the tractor |5 by means including a pair of transversely spaced coupling members 64 (Figs. 1 and 6) carried on bracket members 66 adaptedto be secured to the tractor rear axle I! by clamping members 61 and bolts 68. Each coupling member .64 is of a hollow box construction, opening rearwardly, and having its sides tapered or converged forwardly toward their point of connection with the bracket 66. The top and bottom sides of the coupling members are formed with oppositely arranged holes 69 for receiving a coupling pin H.

The hitch members 30 and 31 are loosely received within their corresponding coupling members 64 and have holes 12 at their forward ends adapted for alignment with the holes 69 in the coupling members. The flared construction of the coupling members 64 provides for the guiding of the hitch members 30 and 31 therein to positions at which the coupling pins 1 I are insertible syringes? through thefholes" 12 at the forwardflends of the hitch members and the oppositely arranged holes 69 in the coupling members. In the assembly of the hitch with the tractor assume the coupling'members E4130 bein their supported positions on the tractor rearaxle. I1, and the tractor in 'a position for connectionwith the hitch members 39 and; 31. In theeventthe transverse spacing between the forward ends of the hitch members 39and 31 does not correspond to the transverse spacing between the coupling members 64, the hitch member 31 may be extended or contracted, concurrently with an ad justment in length'of thebrace unit 50, to locate the forward end of the hitch member 31 at its corresponding coupling member 64. 1 Q In the event the hitch member 31 is contracted, mama to its showing in Fig. 1, to move its front end toward the front end of the hitch member 30; the brace unit 50 is concurrently shortenedso that the relative arrangement of the brace unit 59 and the hitch member "31 appears asfillustrated in Fig. "7; Should itbe desired to extend the hitch member 37, relative to itsshowing in Fig. l, to move its front endaway from the front end of the hitch member 39, the brace unit 50 is likewise lengthened and the relative arrangement of the hitch member 31 and brace unit 50 would appear as illustrated in Fig; 8. On completion of the adjustment of the hitch 37, theforward'ends of the hitch membersifl and 31 are guidedwitl in their respective coupling members 64 on a rearward movement ofthe tractor I; The coupling pins II are theninserted through the coupling members 64 and the hitch members and 31.

In the operationofthe hitch its pivoted support on the frame members 2| and 22*provides for arelative up and down movement between the tractor I9 and the corn picker I6 for travel over rough ground. By virtue of the function of the brace unit59 to lock the hitch member 31 against pivotal movementin a horizontal plane, toward and away from thefixed hitch member 3|], the picker I6 is positivelyretained against movement laterally of the tractor whereby the picker I6 can be operated on sloped or inclined ground without slipping out of a longitudinally aligned position with the tractorQ Thepivotal support of the hitch member 31 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane about the pivot 41, and the pivotal support of the eye bolt 5| and arm 48 for pivotal movement together in a vertical plane about the pivot 51, accommodates any relative lateral tipping movement between the tractor I5 and the picker I6, while retaining the picker I6 in longitudinal alignment with the tractor. The construction of the hitch for loca tion between the tractor rear wheels I9 and Na and its connection with the tractor rear axle I1 and with the picker I6 substantially at its axle 24, provides for a close up connection of the picker with the tractor whereby the snouts 2Iare capable of being located to the outside of the rear wheel Illa with their frontends positioned forwardly of the tractor seat I4. The forward ends of the snouts 21 are thus clearly visible to the tractor operator and readily guided to follow a row of corn. The close-up connection of the picker I I5 also provides for a minimum of turning space, for the tractor and picker assembly, at the ends of the corn rows so that the corn picker can be operated substantially to the ends of the rows.

For the purpose of adjusting the snouts 21 relative to the ground surface the longitudinal frame member 21 of the picker main frame is arranged in aspaced relation below the hitchmeni ber 39 and extended substantially to the forward end of 'suchhitchmember (Fig. 2). Rotatably supported the u'pright legspf the longitudinal brace member 36 and the hitch member 30" is a rock shaft BI which carries, adjacent to the frame member 36, anoperating lever 82 provided with aspringpressed"pawl83. A toothed segment84, mountedoni the brace member 36, cooperates with the pawl 83, in a wellknow'n manner,to hold thelever 82 in a moved position. A rec-ka ate fixed'on thesh'aft 8I atrthehitch member 30, has its free end pivoted to one end of a linklal which has its opposite end pivoted at the forward end of the I longitudinal member 2 I When thehitch attachment is connected with the tractor, movement of the lever 82 provides for a rocking movement of the picker I6 andits axle 24, asa unit'relativeto the picker] ground wheels 26, whereby the snouts flare raised and' lowered relativetdthe ground surface. I When it-is desired to disconnect the "tractor from the picker it is onlynecessary to remove the coupling pinsjII and drive the tractor awayfrom the picker.) By-virtue of the rocker shaft assembly 8I,86 and 81with thepicker frame member 2| the hitch is held 'ina substantially horizontal position so that theforward ends of the hitch members 30and 3I areretained atelevated positions' providin or I eir later connection with the coupling members 64,

The picker I6 isprovided with a driven shaft 85 (Fig. 1) which may be connected through any suitable power transmissio n means (not shown) withthesnappingrolls, husking rolls 28 and elevator 3|. Thedriven shaft85 is connected with the tractor power take-ofifshaft 'I 8 through a coupling unitindicated generally as 88 (Figs. 1, 9, 10 ahdll)? The couplingunits 88 includes a driven shaft section [89, of a squaretubular construction, having its rear end connectedwith the drivenshaft 85 throughauniversal joint 9|. Adaptedto be locked in telescopic engagement with the tubular driven shaft 89 is adrive shaft member 9Z,of a square shape in transverse section, slidably supportedfor longitudinal movement in a tubular casing 93 also of a substantiallysquare shape in transversesection. The rear end 94 of the drive member 92 is ofataperedconstruction to facilitatel its reception within the forward end of the driven tubular member 89, while its frontendis formed withan upright projection 9 6e'xtended through a longitudinallyextended slot 91 formed in the top side98 ofthe casing member 93; The longitudinal movementofthe drive member 92 relative to thecasing member93is limited by the engagement of the projection or sto'p member 96 with the oppositeends of the slot 91. 1 A flange member 99, on theforward end of the casing 93, is adapted'to be'secured toa mating flange unit IIJI formed "as part of a universaljoint I02, which is connected tothepower take-oif shaft I8. 1 Located withinfthecasing 93 is a pivotedstop member lll3,extended longitudinally of thecas ing 93 substantially within the confines of the slot 91. The forward end of the stop member I03 is formed with a downward projection I04 extended through an opening I06 formed in the casing wall I91, located oppositely from its slotted wall, and pivoted on a pin I08 carried in a pair of lugs I09 integrally formed with the casing 93 and arranged at opposite sides of the opening I 99. The portion of the casing wall Ill'I directly opposite the slot 91, is depressed relative to that por- 7 tion of the wall 101 located rearwardly of the slot 91.

As a result, when the pivoted locking member I03 is positioned against the wall 101, as shown in full lines in Fig. 10, the drive member 92 is movable forwardly, or to the left as viewed in Fig. 10, over the stop member I93 to a stoppedposition against the forward end of the slot 91. This forward movement of the drive member 92 provides for its disconnection from the tubular driven member 89. The rod member 92 is movable rearwardly into telescopic engagement with the tubular driven member 89 to a stop position defined by the engagement of the upright projection 95 with the rear end of the slot 91. This engagement is maintained by the pivotal movement of the stop member 103, toward the slot 91, into abutting engagement with the forward end of the drive member 92, as illustrated in Fig. 11 and in dotted lines in Fig. 10.

Movement of the pivotal member I03 into engagement with the forward end of the drive member 92 is accomplished by the provision of a coil spring I99 positioned in a socket Ill formed in the casing wall I01 and arranged in compression between the bottom side of the socket I I l and the pivoted stop member I03. It is seen, therefore, that the drive member 92 is positively held against longitudinal movement in telescoped connection with the tubular driven member 89 by the engagement of the upright projection 96 with the rear end of the slot 91, and the engagement of its forward end with the free end of the pivoted stop member I03.

To disconnect the drive member 92 from the tubular driven member 89 the member I03 is manually depressed through the slot 91, to its position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1-0, whereby the drive member 92 is movable forwardly over the stop member. When the coupling unit 89 is disconnected the casing 93 and the drive member 92 may be left suspended from the power take-off shaft I8 without interfering with a normal travel of the tractor, While the tubular driven member 8'! drops to a supported position on the hitch.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that the invention provides a hitch for connecting a tractor with a pull type corn picker such that the corn picker is located immediately rearwardly of the tractor with its snouts extended forwardly of the tractor operator. By virtue of this location of the picker snouts, and the construction and relative assembly of the hitch with the picker and the tractor to maintain the picker in longitudinal alignment with the tractor while providing for relative lateral movement between the picker and the tractor, a pull type corn picker is adapted to be operated with substantially all of the advantages of a tractor mounted picker. In addition, the hitch of this invention provides for a quick and simple connection and disconnection of the picker relative to the tractor so that the tractor is available at all times for its many duties on the farm. By virtue of the ease and ii simplicity by which the tractor is assembled with the picker, the picker may be left in the field and the tractor used for transporting the farmer to and from the field.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tractor hitch comprising a frame structure adapted to be pivoted on a machine to be pulled for pivotal up and down movement about an axis extended transversely of said machine, a first forwardly extended hitch member on said frame structure, a second forwardly extended hitch member arranged on said frame structure oppositely from and in a spaced relation with said first hitch member, means for contracting and extending said second hitch member, means movably supporting said second hitch member on said frame structure for pivotal up and down and horizontal movement relative to said first hitch member, and means for holding said second hitch member against horizontal movement, with the front ends of said two hitch members being adapted for connection with a tractor at transversely spaced positions thereon.

2. A tractor hitch comprising a transverse frame member adapted to be pivoted on a machine to be pulled for up and down pivotal movement about an axis extended transversely of said machine, a forwardly extended hitch member at one end of said frame member and rigid with said frame member, a second forwardly extended hitch member arranged oppositely from and in a spaced relation with said rigid hitch member, means movably supporting the rear end of said second hitch member on said frame member for up and down and horizontal pivotal movement relative to said rigid hitch member, and means for holding said second hitch member against horizontal movement longitudinally of said frame member but permitting up and down pivotal movement of said second hitch member, with the front ends of said two hitch members being adapted for connection with a tractor at spaced positions thereon.

PETER F. HANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED, STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,848,359 Krause Mar. 8, 1932 1,896,901 Knapp et a1. Feb. 7, 1933 1,941,670 Everett Jan. 2, 1934 1,953,063 Coultas Apr. 3, 1934 2,357,761 Peacock Sept. 5, 1944 2,361,304 Mappin Oct. 24, 1944 

